Sharon Wauchob

Sharon Wauchob is one of those designers who flies under the radar of most big editors but who gets plenty of respect from top retailers. "You get a lot of value for your money, and it looks special without being complicated," said Sarah Rutson of Lane Crawford, the chic Beijing and Hong Kong emporium. For Spring, Wauchob, who's Irish, brought the special via handmade lace spliced onto drapey, deconstructed jackets with volume at the shoulders, and tops with ruffles spilling down the front. Paired with silky drop-crotch pants or slouchy shorts, these wispy looks in white, black, and gray positioned her squarely in the Spring fashion mix: A lot of houses are exploring handcrafted traditions right now, and, of course, sheer is just about the biggest thing going. Don't cotton to broderie anglaise? There was a white party dress and a shorts suit or two that got the sparkle treatment, with metallic beaded shoulder pads or thick chain necklaces. This was a pretty show for girls who take their pretty with a helping of edge.